July 14th: Ministry day: Deb Wirth
Bible Plan Verse that stood out: Matthew 19:23-24 GNB
One of my favorite parts about working with hosts that are long term missionary’s in every country is when we have the ability to make their life outside of ministry easier. On the 14th my teammate Zach and I stayed behind while everyone else went to a ministry event so that we could to do work around the house. We checked the cots and air mattress for defects, used a machete to chop down some bushes, swept the whole house, cleaned up their patio, knocked down cobwebs, fixed the roof, and cleaned the gutters.
July 15th: Rest Day: Grandpa and Grandma Jilly
Bible Plan Verse that stood out: Exodus 32:20-21 GNB
On the 15th we played soccer in the morning with our neighbor and his pick up group, before watching the World Cup finals. Later in the day we taught our host spikeball and had fun at the park for a while. The rest of the day was having fun playing games and having fun around the dinner table. Having a host this month that really feels like family has been really special.
July 16th: Ministry day: Grandpa and Grandma Jilly
Bible Plan Verse that stood out: Matthew 21:1-3 GNB
We went to a school to help run their fun day. The ministry we are working with brought a trampoline, bouncy-house, and several other games. My job was rotating 16 classes of about 22, on and off the trampoline. They only had 2 minutes on there with 6-7 of their classmates but they all loved every second. After we got home from the school day we went to the park again to play spikeball and later went home to play board games.
July 17th: Ministry day: Grandpa and Grandma Jilly
Bible Plan Verse that stood out: Psalms 22:10 GNB
We went to the man in charge of Conexion ministry’s house, Jherson, to work on some organization of their supplies preparing for future ministry days. However, before we got there we got to stop at Walmart! It’s crazy how something so normal back home can be such a great piece of enjoyment after being away from it for 10 months now. Anyway, once we got to Jherson’s house, I personally helped repair a tent in the back “yard“ and make bags out of this material called lona and duct tape. Once we got back to the house we made a few more bags before playing more board games and having a great team worship night.
July 18th: Ask The Lord (ATL) day: Grandpa and Grandma Jilly
Bible Plan Verse that stood out: Psalms 23:1-4 GNB
An ATL day is when we ask God where He wants us to go/what He wants us to do. Originally the plan was to catch a bus for 2 days at the beach for evangelism and maybe sports ministry. After worship the prior night I felt led to actually not go and serve here instead. Then God brought to mind maybe doing ministry with the other team nearby. As it turned out they were going to a nearby slum to do house visits. Going there was a humbling experience that I will never forget. Thank you to those of you who donated money as a result of my God Pocket blog, as through your good will, I was able to take treats with me to hand out to the kids and financially bless a single mom who was in a really hard spot. I am so thankful God called me to not go to the beach so I could have this experience.
After watching a video our host showed us on how God reveals himself in the silence, the last 3 nights I’ve really felt His presence when seclude myself in silence. Even if it’s just 5 min a day I encourage you all to try it. No music, no reading, no tv in the background just complete sensory silence.
““Go out and stand before me on top of the mountain,” the LORD said to him. Then the LORD passed by and sent a furious wind that split the hills and shattered the rocks — but the LORD was not in the wind. The wind stopped blowing, and then there was an earthquake — but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire — but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the soft whisper of a voice.”
1 Kings 19:11-12 GNB
